This year Hartalika Teej observed on 24th August 2017. Hartalika Teej refers to monsoon festival that observes particularly in western and northern states of India, Nepal, and Telangana the Southern states of India. As India is a land of colorful where festivals celebrated with much excitement and splendor. Teej festival celebrated the arrival of clouds and rain, greenery and birds with social activities. This monsoon festival of Teej is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva celebrated mostly by the married women. On this festival women dressed up by draping green, red and yellow clothes along with henna-colored hands and feet. They celebrate this festival with friends and family by dancing, singing and telling stories.
Hartalika Teej is most important Teej including the Hariyali Teej and Kajari Teej. It is observed on the third day of Shukla Paksha during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. This festival celebrated the day when Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati’s love towards him. On this auspicious festival, girls fast and restrict themselves from food and water for about 24 hours. However, they offer fresh fruits along with sweets like ghewar and suhaag items such as sindoor, mangal sutra, etc. that are required for married ladies to Goddess Parvati.
Hartalika Teej Vrat Vidhi and Puja vidhi
On Hartalika Teej women all over India take bath early morning bath and wear new clothes with new pieces of jewelry. In some regions, women opt solah shringar that includes 16 elements. Then they visit temples for pooja. They lit a mud diya all night long. And they keep Nirjala Vrat to be blessed by Goddess Parvati also decorate Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva idols with clay in the evening times. And then women sing traditional Teej songs and swing on beautifully decorated swings in the garden.
